Next Generation EAS. Broadcasters Clinic Madison, WI. October 10, 2007

Transcription

1 Next Generation EAS Broadcasters Clinic Madison, WI October 10, 2007

2 Presentation Overview Wisconsin Programs Amber Alert Broadcaster ID Card State EAS Plan Update 2 new pages on Wisconsin EAS website Federal Programs NWS HazCollect FCC DIRS Program FCC Disaster Contact List Next Generation EAS All URL s in the presentation are on the handout 2

3 Wisconsin Amber Alert To date, 14 Amber Alerts since 2003 Requests are still averaging a 20% approval rate (4 of 5 requests do not result in an Amber Alert) Annual Amber Alert meeting is tomorrow. Expecting: Improvements in website Improvements in fax/ system 3

4 Wisconsin Broadcaster Emergency Personnel ID Card Program Intended use of Broadcaster ID Cards: To be used by engineers to reach their transmitter site during a disaster. They are specifically not for use by news-gathering crews. This is a condition of WBA s agreement with the state. 4

5 Wisconsin Broadcaster Emergency Personnel ID Card Program Issued by Wisconsin Dept. of Justice WBA administers application paperwork DOJ produces the ID Cards, and informs police agencies statewide on the program DOJ covers cost of producing the cards There is no cost to individual broadcasters Back of card has 24/7 number at DOJ for law enforcement questions in the field No expiration, but reviewed annually 5

6 Wisconsin Broadcaster Emergency Personnel ID Card Program Wisconsin Broadcaster ID Card Program link on WBA Homepage: Current Totals: 112 Cards Issued, to 41 Entities 6

7 Wisconsin State EAS Plan State EAS Plan was updated in September Main Plan: New NWS Lake Michigan mid-lake location codes effective October 2, 2007 New FCC EAS Homepage Appendices: Withee NWR dropped Price County alerts Updated address [Any new files have 0907 in file name.] 7

8 National Weather Service HazCollect Will enable local Emergency Managers to log onto a FEMA website and send EAS messages via NOAA Weather Radio. Expected online in Fall. Wisconsin has already established an Oversight Committee to review all alerts. The Committee is producing a HazCollect Guidebook for use by Emergency Managers in Wisconsin; to be released this month. Info: 8

9 Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) This system will be activated in a disaster to aid the FCC in determining which stations need help. All broadcasters should register on DIRS now. You will be contacted by the FCC if DIRS is activated in your area. Stations will be requested to report their on-air /off-air status daily, and any needs they have. A new page has been created on the Wisconsin EAS website to aid stations in DIRS registration. 9

10 Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) Start by reading Guidance Document on WI EAS. Then read FCC User Manual on FCC DIRS site. Some errors still exist in current User Manual. Registering on the system: Be sure to use Production Version site, not beta. New users must sign up under company name. First user may pick a Company ID, which all subsequent users must know to register. Any beta version users must get new password. 10

11 FCC Disaster Assistance Contacts 11

12 The New FCC EAS Rules Let s talk about the FCC s Next Generation EAS 12

13 The New FCC EAS Rules On July 12, 2007 the FCC released new EAS rules, which will take effect 30 days after they are published in the Federal Register (+ 60 days > CRA Rpt). The most important change is that the FCC is introducing CAP (Common Alerting Protocol) into EAS. The current EAS network will remain, with CAP as a new delivery method. 13

14 Federal Move to CAP Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) A new worldwide standard format for issuing alerts. CAP is a text message, with the ability to attach audio and visual elements. HazCollect uses CAP, and NWS also posts CAP messages at: DHS/FEMA is using CAP in its new national alerting systems CAP info: click on CAP 14

15 Sample CAP Message (from CAP Standard) 15

16 CAP Use in EAS The advantages of CAP: Will carry the information conveyed in a current EAS alert, plus much more. Can carry audio, graphics, maps, and text all in one alert. It is the same format, no matter who issues it (a worldwide standard). 16

17 CAP Use in EAS The advantages of CAP: Can be used by not only EAS, but alerting methods such as cellular phones, websites, billboards, etc. It is a text file with attachments, which can be distributed in a variety of means, yet to be determined for EAS. (Internet?, satellite?, DTV digital data?) 17

18 CAP Use in EAS Advantages of CAP for broadcasters: TV stations will have a text output of the audio message, so they no longer will be limited to the generic EAS crawl. TV stations will get disaster maps. In addition to an imbedded audio file, manufacturers are also talking about including a text-to-speech converter. 18

19 FCC & FEMA share EAS oversight In 2006, a Presidential Executive Order declared the Secretary of Homeland Security shall administer the EAS as a critical component of the public alert and warning system. Thus, FEMA now has a more active role in EAS, and much in the new FCC rules depends on policies to be established by FEMA. 19

20 Next Generation EAS Rules Within 180 days after adoption by FEMA Stations will be required to accept alerts in the CAP format. CAP messages received from your state Governor must be re-broadcast. (State-level, & geo-targeted local alerts) Stations must be able to receive any new Next Generation EAS networks. 20

21 Next Generation EAS Rules New EAS rules needing clarification: Will each broadcaster be required to have a CAP decoder? What equipment will be needed to receive new Next Gen EAS networks? The current CAP Standard does not contain adequate guidance for EAS use. We will need FCC or FEMA guidance to implement CAP for EAS. 21

22 Next Generation EAS Rules How soon will these changes happen? FEMA is not expected to act on CAP for at least a year. FEMA or FCC must publish a CAP EAS Profile before new equipment can be manufactured to work with CAP EAS. CAP alerts in a state will not happen until an FCC-approved State EAS Plan exists to distribute the CAP alerts. 22

23 Next Generation EAS Rules How do I stay updated on the changes? A new page has been posted on the Wisconsin EAS website to track progress on Next Gen EAS in our state: A FAQ and Interpretation of the rules are posted on the SBE EAS webpage: 23

24 Next Generation EAS Rules Other new EAS rules: Wireline Video Providers (AT&T U- Verse and Verizon FiOS) now in EAS SDARS (XM and Sirius) and DBS (Dish and DirecTV) are exempted from carrying the Governor s message FCC and FEMA are to coordinate EAS training programs 24

25 FCC Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) FCC has asked for comments on: Improving alert delivery to non-english speakers. (CAP can indicate language) Improving alert delivery to those with a disability. (CAP text and audio can be routed to any number of devices) Should FCC mandate alerts from officials other than the Governor? More testing to verify EAS operation? 25

26 Affect of new rules on broadcasters State EAS Committees: Develop new CAP delivery network Assist Governor with CAP capability Submit revised State EAS Plan to FCC Every Broadcaster: Will most likely need a CAP Decoder May need equipment to receive Next Generation EAS networks 26

27 Emergency Management Relationships With HazCollect alerts emerging on the local level and mandatory Governor messages arriving on the state level, broadcasters relationships with Emergency Management officials are more important than ever. Local: Get to know your County EM officials. State: WBA is staffing a booth and is cosponsoring the Wisconsin Emergency Management Association Annual Conference in Madison on Oct. 31 st. Info: 27

28 Next Generation EAS Today s Presenter: Gary Timm, Broadcast Engineer Journal Broadcast Group Milwaukee Broadcast Chair, Wisconsin EAS Committee gteas@execpc.com